- The Guardian
- Issue #2201
Greenpeace is calling on the Albanese Labor government to urgently address Queensland’s deforestation crisis using the new national nature law, after the Great Barrier Reef dodged another “in danger” listing by UNESCO.
The decision to keep the world’s most famous reef off the “in danger” list was adopted at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in South Korea last month, despite grave concerns over the government’s unmet targets for water quality last year, a direct impact of deforestation in Queensland.
Adele Chasson, Nature Policy Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said:“UNESCO has repeatedly voiced concern about the health and future of the Great Barrier Reef, and the reality is that this global icon is still in deep danger from runaway climate heating, coral-killing deforestation run-off, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching.”
Chasson warned that deforestation in Great Barrier Reef catchment areas is an environmental crisis, making up almost half of all deforestation in Queensland. Deforestation run-off floods the reef with dirty sediment and toxic pesticides, poisoning corals and fuelling destructive crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. “The Albanese government must end rampant deforestation in Queensland or risk the Reef losing its World Heritage status, threatening the communities and wildlife who depend on it.”
The UNESCO committee recognised deforestation as a major threat to the reef and welcomed Australia’s recent nature law reforms aimed at tackling deforestation in catchment areas. It urged Australia to act to improve the Reef’s water quality and requested a progress report by 2028.
“With these compounding pressures and a record El Niño around the corner, action to protect the Reef has never been more urgent. The Albanese government must immediately implement UNESCO’s recommendations under the new EPBC laws and end unchecked deforestation in the Reef catchments,” Chasson said.
PARASITE OF THE WEEK: Shell.
The fossil fuel giant revealed Q2 profits of $9.84 billion, a bigger-than-expected 70 per cent surge in half-year earnings, as it capitalised on volatile oil and gas prices driven by US President Donald Trump’s war in Iran.
In Britain, Shell also has a significant stake in the controversial Rosebank oil field in the North Sea, which is pending government approval.
End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis said: “Shell makes more profits in a single minute than most people in this country earn in a year.
“As wildfires rage, droughts are declared and temperatures climb, the very fuels heating the planet are also heating company profits, while households pay the price on their bills.”
He warned that long-term energy security “cannot rely” on a “declining” North Sea supply, where firms have already extracted 90 per cent of commercially viable gas.
“The drill more, bill more approach simply locks households into another cycle of gas price shocks,” he said, urging ministers to ensure the energy profits levy funds energy debt relief and a permanent social tariff.
He also called for a structural reform to break the link between electricity prices and volatile gas markets so that homegrown clean power brings bills down for the people who need help most.
Poverty activists Uplift’s Robert Palmer slammed Shell for “cashing in” on the war as families and firefighters across Europe battle wildfires.
“This is now maniacal behaviour from a company that is putting its profits ahead of the health of our planet, and the lives and livelihoods of all of us,” he said.
“Governments urgently need to step up, listen to the scientists’ warnings, and stop Shell and others from driving us off a cliff.”
Scottish Greens energy spokesman Kristopher Leask called the “blood-stained” profits “truly sickening,” saying: “There can be no justification for an energy system that allows this kind of profiteering, especially when so many are suffering.”
